Marco Arment Launches Unforgetful, a Reminders Alternative Built for Procrastinators

Independent software engineer Marco Arment has released Unforgetful, a task management application for iOS and macOS built for users who habitually delay or dismiss task alerts. The application directly hooks into Apple's native Reminders database, serving as an alternative interface tailored specifically to combat procrastination, as first reported by TechCrunch.

By integrating with the existing Apple Reminders framework, Unforgetful allows users to retain their current workflows with voice assistants. Users can continue using Siri to generate tasks without explicitly referencing the third-party application. To adopt the tool, users turn off standard Apple Reminders alerts and enable notifications from Unforgetful instead, ensuring data remains intact inside Apple's native database even if the software is removed.

In an announcement detailing the launch on Friday, Arment noted that while Siri reliably creates items in Apple's native ecosystem, the default task manager itself fell short for his workflow. "Siri, for all of its faults, has always been very good at creating tasks in Apple’s Reminders app," Arment stated in his post, adding that he disliked the design, functionality, organization, and icon of Apple's built-in tool. He pointed out that accidental dismissals often lead to lost tasks, and setting reminders without explicit times often results in missed notifications altogether.

Unforgetful addresses those vulnerabilities through a persistent alert mechanism. Alerts generated by the software repeat indefinitely—even if dismissed or missed—until the user marks the task complete and removes it. Additionally, the application introduces a revamped snooze system that expands time intervals incrementally as tasks are delayed, designed to prevent users from becoming overwhelmed by a sudden deluge of simultaneous notifications.

The software deliberately omits complex organizational features found in other task managers, such as tag systems or multiple view modes, prioritizing operational simplicity instead. Users seeking advanced sorting capabilities can continue using Apple's default software, while Unforgetful focuses strictly on driving task completion regardless of deadline status or entry method.

Alongside its notification mechanics, Unforgetful includes built-in voice recording capabilities via an internal microphone interface for setting alerts. The application also provides support for Apple's system ecosystem through custom widgets designed for the iOS Lock Screen and Control Center.

Unforgetful is available under a single subscription priced at $19.99 per year, granting access across both iOS and Mac platforms. Arment previously founded the reading platform Instapaper, created the podcast player Overcast, and served as the chief technology officer at Tumblr.